Kent State University
Texas State
Softball Action Continues Saturday at Texas State Tournament
2/11/2023 8:43:00 PM | Softball
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Kent State dropped a pair of games during action at the Texas State Tournament on Saturday. The Golden Flashes lost to host Texas State, 5-1, in the morning and then suffered a 7-0 setback to Wichita State.
Senior Julia Mazanec and freshmen Bri Despines and Bekah Zachrich all had two-hit games to lead Kent State at the plate.
Game 1: Texas State 5, Kent State 1
Both teams totaled eight hits in the game, but a 3-0 advantage in extra-base hits was enough for Texas State to earn the victory.
Kent State had runners on base frequently throughout the contest and finished with 11 left on the base. Multiple runners were stranded in five frames.
Bri Despines and Bekah Zachrich collected two hits each to lead the Flashes at the plate. Despines also reached via base on balls and drove in the team's only run.
The Bobcats struck for three runs on three hits in the bottom of the second inning and extended it to a 4-0 lead following a triple and single with two outs in the fourth.
In the top of the fifth, the Golden Flashes got the two-out hits that had eluded them over the first four innings. Zachrich moved Madison Hershberger into scoring position with a single to left field and Despines followed with a single to center that brought Hershberger home.
Texas State answered with a run in the sixth inning.
Anilese Kelly (0-2) went the distance in the circle and had two strikeouts while allowing four earned runs over six innings.
Game 2: Wichita State 7, Kent State 0
A leadoff single, walk and two-out single gave the Shockers a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Kent State had the tying run in scoring position in the top of the second following back-to-back walks, but a double play ended the frame.
Wichita State plated two runs in the third with two doubles and a single. The Shockers added a run in the fourth to lead 4-0 and a pair of Golden Flashes errors allowed three unearned runs to score in the sixth.
Julia Mazanec had two of Kent State's three hits in the contest.
Macy Irelan (0-1), Morgan Bowers and Anilese Kelly all had one strikeout while tossing at least one inning.
On Deck for the Flashes
Kent State concludes opening weekend Sunday against Villanova at 11 a.m. ET.
